Dark Circles & Puffy Eyes - Be Gone!

10 easy home remedies to get rid of dark circles and puffy eyes!

So… you wake up in the morning, take a look in the mirror, and get a shock at the sight of the dark circles and puffy eyes staring back at you. Sounds familiar?

Many of us suffer from similar problems, and it can be especially frustrating when you have an important day ahead and need to look your best.

Nonetheless, we’ve found a number of effective home treatments that can help you to naturally reduce those dark circles and puffy eyes. Here are some ways you can start:

1.Get enough sleep (but not too much) This is something many of us are guilty of and there is a reason why “beauty sleep” is known as such. It is important to get about 7 to 8 hours of sleep every day in order for our body to function at its optimum level and have better blood circulation. Dark circles are a result of poor circulation in our body.

2.Hydrate yourself adequately Dehydration is a major contributing factor to dark circles and puffy eyes. In a hot climate like Singapore’s, it is necessary for us to ensure that we drink even more water, and it is recommended that we drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily (avoid sweet or carbonated drinks as they cause dehydration). Drinking enough plain water is essential for our body to flush out the toxins and cleanse itself. A lack of hydration can cause a decrease in our blood circulation, and poor circulation results in more noticeable blood vessels under our eyes.

3.Massage the area beneath your eyesMix a tablespoon of coconut oil (rich in moisturising properties) and a tablespoon of almond oil (rich in vitamins). Apply the mixture underneath your eyes, massage gently, leave it on for about 20 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. Repeat the process till you are satisfied with the results.

4.Apply a cold compress to your eyesA cold compress will relax the blood vessels, and tighten up the skin around our eyes, thus reducing the swelling and providing relief to tired eyes. Here are three methods you can use while lying down:

Moist towel – Place a wet towel in the fridge overnight. Take it out the next morning and put it over your forehead and eyes for at least five minutes.

Cold spoons – Chill a few pairs of mental spoons in your fridge for about 15 to 20 minutes. Take a pair out and hold the rounded part of the spoons against your eyes until they turn warm, then replace them with a new pair of cold spoons.

Others – Place a bag of ice cubes, frozen peas, chilled tea bags or cold slices of cucumber over your eyes for about 10 to 20 minutes to rejuvenate your eyes and get rid of the puffiness.

5.Consume iron-rich foodsIf you have suddenly developed dark circles under your eyes, it could be a sign of iron deficiency. Other than taking vitamin supplements, you can also start incorporating more iron-rich foods into your diet – some of them include spinach, chicken breast, tofu, salmon, brown rice, broccoli, raisins, strawberries, oatmeal and asparagus.

6.Use a lemon juice eye maskThe vitamin C in lemon juice helps to alleviate dark circles by lightening and tightening the skin under our eyes. Soak cotton balls in lemon juice and gently place them under your eyes for about 10 minutes.

7.Use acupressureAccupressure can help to remove dark circles under your eyes and prevent the occurrence of ageing symptoms. Every morning, press the bone beneath each eye for three seconds using your index finger. Do this for each eye 10 times.

8.Practice yogaWhile yoga does not directly remove dark circles or puffy eyes, practicing yoga and meditating will help you to relax, even if you have a hectic schedule. When your body, mind and soul are calm, you will be more at peace and your dark circles will tend to go away by themselves.

9.Apply aloe vera gelPure aloe vera gel is a source of anti-oxidants and vitamin E. Applying it under your eyes can help increase blood circulation, flush out fluids that are retained around your eyes, and decrease any swelling. Be careful, though, not to let any aloe vera gel get into your eyes during the application.

10. Apply an egg white pasteEgg whites help to tighten skin, get rid of dark circles as well as fight the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes. Beat some egg whites in a bowl until stiff, then use a brush to apply them around your eyes. Leave it there for 15 to 20 minutes before washing your face with cold water. Continue to do this for a few days and you will likely see results!